Support for women and gender diverse people in the criminal justice system

A MELBOURNE-based mentoring program supporting women and gender diverse people involved in the criminal justice system is expanding its reach into regional Victoria with Bendigo as its current focus.

The Women and Mentoring program has been made possible due to a mix of philanthropic and state government funding.

“With new remote mentoring options via phone and online, Women and Mentoring (WAM) is breaking down geographical barriers to support, ensuring that women in regional or underserved areas have access to this critical intervention,” said executive officer Tricia Ciampa.

“The organisation works closely with other community and legal support services, enhancing engagement and outcomes for those involved.”

WAM was established in 2009 at the Neighbourhood Justice Centre in Melbourne’s City of Yarra.

Since then the program has provided non-judgemental, trauma-informed mentoring to women, trans women, and gender diverse people who are at risk of, or involved with, the criminal justice system.

“WAM’s trained volunteer mentors support program participants one-on-one to build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and navigate the complex personal challenges that can lead to offending,” said Ms Ciampa.

“With ongoing philanthropic and government funding, WAM has grown steadily, expanding first into Sunshine in 2015 with Melbourne Women’s Fund support, then expanded its reach to assist more criminalised women facing complex life challenges across areas of metropolitan Melbourne.

“Since 2022, with state government funding, WAM has been able to accept referrals from across all greater Melbourne areas and extended to include referrals from the Ballarat region.

“Now in 2025 they are focusing on expanding into the Bendigo area and additional regional areas to connect more woman to supportive mentors.”

WAM has 14 coordinators working across the intake, volunteer recruitment, mentor support, and lived experience peer group facilitatation areas, working to connect and support women with previous experience of incarceration.

“Additionally, WAM offers an early intervention Young Women’s Program, based in south-east Melbourne, focusing on young women and girls between 12 and 20 years old,” said Ms Ciampa.

“Passionate volunteers also contribute at every level, supporting events and program delivery, allowing us to reach even more women across Victoria.”

For more information, contact [email protected] or visit womenandmentoring.org.au/about to make a referral.

WAM is seeking new volunteer mentors, especially women and non-binary people who want to give back to their community by sharing their time and empathy, for both face-to-face and online mentoring.

Anyone would like to become a volunteer or find out more can contact WAM at [email protected] or visit the website.